Cook County Democratic Party slates ticket

October 7, 2011

Candidates for next year's Cook County elections made their pitches Thursday for why they deserve the support of the Democratic Party.

The three minute speeches candidates gave may or may not have actually mattered in the final vote. Many Democratic committee members had proxies show up in their stead, and others had already decided who they'd vote for in slating the ticket.

The Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County is a hot position in next year’s election, and incumbent Dorothy Brown is the Democratic Party’s choice. She faced Ricardo Munoz for the Party’s backing.

He used much of his time Thursday pitching the committee, trying to convince them that Brown wasn’t fit for the job. Chief among his complaints was her office's lack of e-filing capabilities for lawyers.

“Dorothy Brown’s inefficiency is as outdated as her computer technology,” Munoz said.

But Munoz’s many complaints weren’t enough to win over the Democratic Party, and neither was his being backed by Cook County Board President Tony Preckwinkle.

But other candidates' pitches did end in success. Karen Yarborough is the committee's choice for Recorder of Deeds, and State's Attorney Anita Alvarez ran unopposed.

Other offices up for grabs are three jobs with the the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District. The committee chose to slate incumbent Deborah Shore, chemist Kari Steele and lawyer Patrick Thompson.

Thompson grew up in a well-known Chicago political family: the Daleys. He said growing up with so many public servants inspired him to seek the office.

For the Cook County Board of Review, the committee chose Larry Rogers, Michael Carbonargi and Casey Griffin.

As for the candidates that didn't win the Democratic Party's backing, some will still run, but most are expected to drop out.